🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Nov2.154050.23454@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu> eboltz@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Eric Scott Boltz) writes:
  ... valid stuff deleted ...
>I'm actually quite worried about Nov. 10th. One of the machines Sun will
>release is a Tsunami (sp?) based SPARC which delivers 28 SpecMarks for
>less thatn $6k. Even though OpenWindows SUCKS, it's hard to justify
>NeXT's 16 Specmark, no bus system for $8k.
>
>The new HP will offer even better MIPS/$.
>
>My impression of NeXT is that they aren't even close to releasing any
>type of RISC machine. I believe that the vast majority of their efforts
>have gone into NS486. It seems that NeXT is targeting the PC market
>rather than take on the Workstation market. Granted, the line between
>is rather blurred, but if NeXT is going to compete with Sun, SGI and HP 
>they better get a RISC box fast.
  ... more stuff deleted ...
>Eric

A note blew by here about the R4400, which clocks at 75MHz (150MHz internal),
has a 32KB on chip cache, and is pin for pin compatable with the R4000PC/SC/MC
chips, leaving a clear upgrade path if NeXT were to ship an R4000 system today.
A dual R4000MC for under $10K would be quite a design feat, but it would get
them on the RISC map with a clear, glowing future.  Speed claims are based on
simulation, and come out at SPECint89 of 95 and SPECfp89 of 126 for a single
processor R4400 system.  There is a short blurb about "design enhancements for
graphics applications" in the announcement as well.  The R4400s 113 SPECmark89
overall for a single CPU is quite respectable compared to Suns claim of
109 SPECmark89 for their dual processor SPARCstation 10, which had a (probably)
outdated preannouncement price of $39,995 (2 CPUs, 64MB, 8-bit color, 1GB disk).

NeXTstep on a 200 SPECmark dual CPU box for $10K.  Its the stuff rumors (and
sometimes dreams) are made of.  Can Jobs and his crew be THAT good?  -Steve
-- 
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Stephen E. Halpin                    halpin@vsg1.dsg.dec.com

"You might just have to waste your life just to live."  - Soul Asylum